How do I solve a looping pedigree in Family Tree?

Article Id: 1324
March 16, 2023

A looping pedigree shows a person as both as the child and ancestor of another person in Family Tree. Loops can happen, for example, when a son is linked into Family Tree as his own grandfather.

You can fix a loop in your family tree. Move back in the tree from yourself. Find the first instance of the mistake. Then delete the incorrect parent-child relationship. Here are the steps.
 

Steps (website)

  1. Click the name of the person showing incorrectly as a child. The summary card appears.
  2. Click Person on the summary card. 
  3. Scroll to the Family Members section.
  4. Under the heading Parents and Siblings (right column), locate the person who appears incorrectly as a child. (If you do not see any children below the couple, click Children to display them.)
  5. To the right of the incorrect child, click the Edit icon . 
    A pop-up appears.
  6. In the Child section, click Remove or Replace. 
  7. Click the check box next to "I have reviewed the relationships, sources, and notes for these individuals." 
  8. Click Remove Parents.
  9. Enter a reason, and then click Remove.
  10. To verify that you solved the problem, click View Tree. If not, the person could show more than one set of parents. Repeat the steps.

Steps (mobile app)

  1. Tap the name of the person showing incorrectly as a child.
  2. Tap the Parents tab.
  3. To the right of the incorrect child, tap the pencil icon.
  4. Tap Remove Parents.
  5. Tap in the box that confirms you removed relationships, sources, and notes for the people.
  6. Tap Continue.
  7. Enter your reason, and tap Remove.
  8. Return to the pedigree view to verify you solved the problem. If not, the person could show more than one set of parents. Repeat the steps.

Steps (Family Tree Lite)

  1. Locate the name of the person showing incorrectly as a child.
  2. Click the Edit icon . 
  3. For each incorrect parent, click Remove or Replace. 
  4. Click either Remove or Replace, depending on how you want to correct the error.
  5. To verify you solved the problem, click Family. If not, the person could show more than one set of parents. Repeat the steps.

If you still see the loop, please contact FamilySearch Support. 

 

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